Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-12-24
HER RESCUER.
81 WILLIAM G. PATTON.

Side by side, down across the Da
kota plains raced two horses, foam
Hecked and hesvy-burdenal Cling
ing upon the back of one, with hel
beautiful face marked by a look O.
fear and helpless despair, was young
girl of not more than IL. By her side
rode dark-mustached man of %, who
by low, encouraging words sought to
cheer his companion.
Away in the rear came dozen
mounted horsemen, who were evidently
in pursuit of the two fugitives. They
were Indians.
For long time this desperate race
for life had continued. Edna Fenton
and Jackson Blake belonged to little
wagon-train bound for the Black Hills
1t was during the time of the first wild
rush for the New Eldorado, just after
the discovery of gold among the Hills
was made known. The plains were
covered with blood-thirsty red men,
and every trail to the Hills was guarded
by the savages. Despite all dangers,
however, hundreds of emigrants took
their lives in their hands and boldly
started for the land of promise. I'm
counted numbers never reached their
destination. The scalps of many a
pale-face woman or child, as we'll as
their protectors, hung at the girdle of
the rapacious Sioux.
Howard Fenton and his beautiful
daughter had joined aDeadwood-
wagon-train at Bismarck. At the same
place Jackson Blake had also joined
the train. Blake professed to be the
agent of certain capitalists who wished
to secure mining property in the Hills
Blake SOON became a great favorite
with Howard Fenton, and, much to
Fenton's delight, the young man seemed
decidedly smitten by the sweet face of
the vivacious Edna.
The sun was slowly sinking toward
the western horizon when, one day,
despite an ominous warning from the
veteran guide, Jackson Blake and
Edna Fenton rode on in advance of the
train. Side by side they galloped
away over the rolling prairie, little
needing how fast or how far they went.
Edna was an excellent horsewoman,
and the rich color upon her cheeks
told how well she enjoyed the pleasure
OF free dash across the open prairie.
At challenge from her companion the
horses were put to their utmost speed,
and away they flew, neck and neck.
They knew not how far they mad
come when they drew rein, and, while
their horses regained their wind, looked
back over the course they had come
An exclamation burst from Blake's
lips, for the train was not in sight, but
away in the distance came a dozen dark
horsemen, and even as the young man
looked back, an exultant shout came
family to his ears.
Almost through his set teeth Blake
Kissed:
Redskins, by Jove! Miss Fenton,
we must fly for our ives!"
Edna uttered little cry of alarm,
and, wheeling their horses they dashed
away to escape the red demons in pur-
suit.
Already were their horses breathing
heavily from their rapid race short
time before, and now they were fleeing
before the red bedouins of the plains,
every one of whom was mounted upon
feet horse.
Far away, directly in the path of the
fugitives it seemed, hung the sun, a
huge, round ball of fire, suspended but
short distance above the horizon.
"Oh, sir! do you think we can escape
those terrible creatures" anxiously in
quired the frightened maiden.
II think we can," Blake answered.
ave have a fair start and the sun is
low. If our horses hold out till it be-
comes dark we may succeed in eluding
them"
Heaven grant we may!" was the
prayer that Edna softly breathed.
Away across the plains raced pursued
and pursuers, and slowly the sun sank
lower. Every minute seemed an hour
to the fatigued and terrified maiden.
CHANGING back occasionally jackson
Blake could see that the savages were
slowly but surely gaining.
Finally the sun reached the horizon
and gradually sank from view.
ave shall elude them, Miss Fenton, I"
were the encouraging words that the
dark-mustached man uttered. "In the
darkness we can circle and strike back
for the train"
Slowly dusky gloom gathered over
the plains. Looking upward, jackson
Blake laughed with satisfaction.
@There will be no moon during the
first Of the night" he observed, sand
therefore it will be comparatively
dark"
His words proved true. Night set
tied over the Dakota plains and dark
ness yelled the fugitives from the eyes
of their pursuers. In the gloom the
man and girl gradually drew to the
left, hoping that the redskins would
pass them in the darkness.
Finally Blake drew rein. "Listen!"
he whispered.
She remained perfectly silent and
listened intently. A faint breeze famed
their faces and the distant bark of q
coyote came family to their ears
Then. all was still